Cladode planting methods improves the initial growth and production of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.)

The aim of this work was to study how the planting system can affect the initial growth and production for Opuntia ficus-indica. For this purpose, we conducted an experiment testing the factors of: I. Cladode size (S5: double cladode – S4: single cladode (control) – S3 two-thirds cladode – S2: half cladode – S1: third cladode). II- Cladode position at planting (S4: cladode upright planted – S6: cladode horizontally side planted – S7: cladode upside down-planted). III- Cladode exposition to the sun (S4: North/South - S8: East/West – S9: North West/South East - S10: North East/South West). IV- Planting depth (S11: third cladode buried down in ground - S4: half cladode buried - S12: two-thirds cladode buried). This study demonstrated that S6, is the best treatment with significant (p<0.05) high productivity, high photosynthetic area and better rooting emergence compared to the S4. The results were equivalent to planting double cladode. Regarding the standard upright planting method of cladode, we found that the increase of cladode size was significantly correlated with the dry matter accumulation. In addition, exposition to the sun at planting had almost no significant differences on the growth rate. Finally, for the planting depth, no big differences were registered. However, S12 had the best absolute growth rate (height) and absolute dry matter production thanks to its significant (p<0.05) best side rooting development. On the other hand, S11 depth was better than the other depths in term of fruit production.